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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

at its rising adjourn till to-morrow (Saturday) at 2.30 for the consideration of the Federation proposals. The motion was carried by 39 to 34. i THE STRIKE. ! Mr Fish m asking a question regarding the action of the Railway Commissioners m having called on the platelayers to load and handle goods on the wharves spoke strongly on the necessity for the Commissioners staying their hands at present, and said that if unhappily a general railway strike occurred through the action of the Commissioners, the curse of every man, woman, and child m the colony would rest on those who caused it. Mr Mitchelson would not reply to Mr Fish's remarks beyond saying that the Government had no right to interfere with the Commissioners m their railway management as those officers had been appointed by the House. It was the duty of the Commissioners to convey goods for the public, and m the present case it happened that they undertook to carry goods from Christchurch to Lyttelton and see that they were placed on board ships at that port. Replying to Mr Joyce, Mr Mitchelaon said that the Government did not intend this session to introduce a Bill by which it should be unlawful for any shipping or commercial company trading m New Zealand to be associated with any other company beyond New Zealand m producing such paralysis of trade as was now existing m the colony. NATIONALISATION OF THE COAL MINES. In reply to Mr Feldwick, Mr Mitchelson said that the Government had not at present under consideration any scheme for the nationalisation of the coal mines of the colony, but as it was such a arge question they would fully consider it during the recess. THE PRIMAGE DUTY AND THE STRIKE. Mr Mitchelson said that m accordance with a promise he had made to the House he now desired to say that he intended to introduce a bill, providing for the infposition of the primage duty to the 30th September. He also thought it necessaiy to state that owing to the unhappy struggle now going on m the colony the Government considered it quite probable that they would have to meet the House with a deficit next year. In reply to Mr liallance he said that it was impossible to estimate the loss m revenue at present, as it depended altogether on the length of the strike. COMMITTEE OF SUPPLY. The House then went into Committee of Supply. The few remaining items m the Public Works Estimates were passed as printed. THE NATIVE LAND LAW AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Mitchelson moved the second reading of the Native Land Law Amendment Bill, which was brought m to remedy certain defects m the existing law. Mr Hutchison said that the Bill contained some provisions which would render it extremely likely that it would not pass this session unless members were prepared to remain m the House much longer than was intended. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. The second reading of the Bill was agreed to on the voices. SECOND BEADING. The Railways Construction Amendment Bill which gives power to private railway companies to acquire land for railway construction purposes m the same way as the Government now do under the Pnblc Works Act, and the Whangarei Land Bill, were read a second time. The Valpy Crown Grant Boundary Definition Bill, the Administration Act Amendment Bill, the Government Life Insurancs Act Amendment Bill, and the Children's Protection Bill was also read second time. THE SHEEP BILL. The amendments made by the Legislative Council m the Sheep Bill were agreed to with the exception of clause 74, which provided for earmarks being made by a punch, upon the petition of a majority of sheepowners m a district representing ownership of two-thirds of the sheep m the district. Managers were appointed to confer with those of the Legislative Council on the clause. IN COMMITTEE. The Railway Construction and Land Act Amendment Bill was committed and passed with verbal amendments. The Gold Duty Abolition and Mining Property Rating Bill was considered m committee, and reported with a few verbal amendments. The Crown Grant Boundary Definition Bills and Government Life Insurance Act Amendment Bill were committed without amendment, as also was the Children s Protection Bill. All the Bills were put through Committee, reported, read a third time, and passed. The House rose at 1,20 a.m.

The remaining items m the Public Works Department, with the nxception of a few which were left over for further consideration, were passed unaltered, and the House rose at 2.20 a.m. The House met at 2.30 p.m. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Leave of absence was granted for the remainder of the session to Mr Pyke, on account of ill-health. THE FEDERATION PROPOSALS. ,Mr Mitchelson moved that the House

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